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Calendar

Wednesday, November 15 2017

The feast celebrates the bringing of the relics of Saint George to Lydda and the consecration of the church in his name in the early Byzantine period. The crypt with the saint’s tomb as well as the church above it, is a site of pilgrimage, especially popular among the local Christians during this feast.

Highlights of the feast

Lydda, Saint George’s Basilica -

On the 15th, the eve of the Feast, local Arab Christians congregate at the tomb for a festive gathering, lighting candles and pouring newly pressed olive oil on the tomb. Sheep are slaughtered and cooked on the outskirts of the compound.

On the 16th, a solemn Divine Liturgy is celebrated in the morning by the Patriarch of Jerusalem.

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For Catholics, the feast of Epiphany recalls the visit of the Wise Men at Bethlehem, and other Biblical manifestations of Jesus. The Magi followed a star to the Nativity Cave, where they found Baby Jesus and presented him with gifts.

Highlights of the feast
Bethlehem*: Church of the Nativity - On the 5th, a Solemn Entry (procession) into Bethlehem to Manger Square. On the 6th - a morning Mass, followed by a procession - a “visitation” (imitating the Magi’s visitation) to the Grotto of the Nativity.

Related sites worth visiting:
Herodion - the palace / fortress and tomb of Herod the Great.
Shepherds’ Field - The sanctuary of the “Gloria in Excelsis” in Bet-Sahur*.
The Milk Grotto in Bethlehem*.

*Under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority.
Visiting the site/s may require special arrangements, including coordination for transportation and guides.

“…And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger…”

(Luke 2:6-7)

Highlights of the feast

Morning of the 6th: the Patriarchal procession from the Old City to the Monastery of Mar Elias and thence to the Church of the Nativity*

via the Bethlehem checkpoint.

Midnight - Divine Liturgy is held at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem*.

Related sites worth visiting:

• Shepherds Field - The sanctuary of “Kenisater-Ruwat” in Bet-Sahur*.

• The Milk Grotto in Bethlehem*.

• Mar Elias Monastery on the main road, halfway between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

Feast of Epiphany (C)

For Catholics, the feast of Epiphany recalls the visit of the Wise Men at Bethlehem, and other Biblical manifestations of Jesus. The Magi followed a star to the Nativity Cave, where they found Baby Jesus and presented him with gifts.

Highlights of the feast
Bethlehem*: Church of the Nativity - On the 5th, a Solemn Entry (procession) into Bethlehem to Manger Square. On the 6th - a morning Mass, followed by a procession - a “visitation” (imitating the Magi’s visitation) to the Grotto of the Nativity.

Related sites worth visiting:
Herodion - the palace / fortress and tomb of Herod the Great.
Shepherds’ Field - The sanctuary of the “Gloria in Excelsis” in Bet-Sahur*.
The Milk Grotto in Bethlehem*.

*Under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority.
Visiting the site/s may require special arrangements, including coordination for transportation and guides.

Joint prayers are a call of unity among all Christians in the Holy Land.

Highlights of the festivity
On each day of the week, Christians belonging to the various Christian communities congregate in a church of a different denomination and pray together. Every year, the Christian Information Center publishes a list of participating churches.

Related sites worth visiting:
The “Living Stones” - The centers of the local Christian communities, (e.g., the Greek Catholic Patriarchate, which hosts the final evening of prayer).

Joint prayers are a call of unity among all Christians in the Holy Land.

Highlights of the festivity
On each day of the week, Christians belonging to the various Christian communities congregate in a church of a different denomination and pray together. Every year, the Christian Information Center publishes a list of participating churches.

Related sites worth visiting:
The “Living Stones” - The centers of the local Christian communities, (e.g., the Greek Catholic Patriarchate, which hosts the final evening of prayer).

Joint prayers are a call of unity among all Christians in the Holy Land.

Highlights of the festivity
On each day of the week, Christians belonging to the various Christian communities congregate in a church of a different denomination and pray together. Every year, the Christian Information Center publishes a list of participating churches.

Related sites worth visiting:
The “Living Stones” - The centers of the local Christian communities, (e.g., the Greek Catholic Patriarchate, which hosts the final evening of prayer).

Joint prayers are a call of unity among all Christians in the Holy Land.

Highlights of the festivity
On each day of the week, Christians belonging to the various Christian communities congregate in a church of a different denomination and pray together. Every year, the Christian Information Center publishes a list of participating churches.

Related sites worth visiting:
The “Living Stones” - The centers of the local Christian communities, (e.g., the Greek Catholic Patriarchate, which hosts the final evening of prayer).

Joint prayers are a call of unity among all Christians in the Holy Land.

Highlights of the festivity
On each day of the week, Christians belonging to the various Christian communities congregate in a church of a different denomination and pray together. Every year, the Christian Information Center publishes a list of participating churches.

Related sites worth visiting:
The “Living Stones” - The centers of the local Christian communities, (e.g., the Greek Catholic Patriarchate, which hosts the final evening of prayer).

Joint prayers are a call of unity among all Christians in the Holy Land.

Highlights of the festivity
On each day of the week, Christians belonging to the various Christian communities congregate in a church of a different denomination and pray together. Every year, the Christian Information Center publishes a list of participating churches.

Related sites worth visiting:
The “Living Stones” - The centers of the local Christian communities, (e.g., the Greek Catholic Patriarchate, which hosts the final evening of prayer).

Joint prayers are a call of unity among all Christians in the Holy Land.

Highlights of the festivity
On each day of the week, Christians belonging to the various Christian communities congregate in a church of a different denomination and pray together. Every year, the Christian Information Center publishes a list of participating churches.

Related sites worth visiting:
The “Living Stones” - The centers of the local Christian communities, (e.g., the Greek Catholic Patriarchate, which hosts the final evening of prayer).

For the Eastern churches, this feast denotes Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River.
Theologically, it is Jesus’ first revelation as the Son of God and the revelation of the Holy Trinity.

Highlights of the feast
The baptismal site of Qasr el-Yahud on the Jordan River, east of Jericho -

Morning of the 18th - A procession of clergy and pilgrims (O) travels down to the river bank. The baptism celebrations are held on the bank of the Jordan River. By submerging a cross in the river, the Patriarch purifies and consecrates the water, which is then sprinkled on crowds of the faithful.

In the afternoon the Ethiopian Orthodox Church celebrates the Baptism in the site. Morning of the 19th - The Baptismal celebrations of the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Syrian Orthodox Church are held on the bank of the Jordan River.

Related sites worth visiting:

Mount of Temptation and Qarantal Monastery above Jericho*.

Monastery of St. Gerasimos, in the “Desert of the Jordan” - a station on the pilgrims’ route to the Jordan.

For the Eastern churches, this feast denotes Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River.
Theologically, it is Jesus’ first revelation as the Son of God and the revelation of the Holy Trinity.

Highlights of the feast
The baptismal site of Qasr el-Yahud on the Jordan River, east of Jericho -

Morning of the 18th - A procession of clergy and pilgrims (O) travels down to the river bank. The baptism celebrations are held on the bank of the Jordan River. By submerging a cross in the river, the Patriarch purifies and consecrates the water, which is then sprinkled on crowds of the faithful.

In the afternoon the Ethiopian Orthodox Church celebrates the Baptism in the site. Morning of the 19th - The Baptismal celebrations of the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Syrian Orthodox Church are held on the bank of the Jordan River.

Related sites worth visiting:

Mount of Temptation and Qarantal Monastery above Jericho*.

Monastery of St. Gerasimos, in the “Desert of the Jordan” - a station on the pilgrims’ route to the Jordan.